Thursday, August 14, 2008

A ROMANCE ON THREE LEGS : GLENN GOULD'S OBSESSIVE QUEST FOR THE PERFCT PIANO
by Katie Hafner

He was a perfectionist to the extreme. When he played not only was it important for the sound to be beautiful, but the touch of the keys had to feel right. Searching for the best piano became Glenn Gould's manic obsession.
Gould was considered one of the twentieth century's most gifted musicians, albeit bizarre. He was just as famous for his eccentricities: refusing to shake hands for fear of germs, wearing a hat, gloves and coat during the summer months, humming while he played, and taking his creaky, sawed-off chair with him wherever he performed.
In A Romance on Three Legs Katie Hafner writes about Verne Edquist, Gould's nearly blind tuner; the history and science of tuning; the Steinway factory during World War II; CD 318.
It's a marvelous story about genius, craftsmanship and drive.
Highly recommended.